Kohima, May 22, 2026: The School of Humanities and Education, Nagaland University, organised a One-Day National Seminar on “Revisiting Tribal Heritage of Northeast India: Challenges and Opportunities” at the Nagaland University Kohima Campus (NUKC) on Friday.
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| Nagaland Governor and Chief Rector of Nagaland University, Nand Kishore Yadav, addresses participants during the National Seminar on “Revisiting Tribal Heritage of Northeast India: Challenges and Opportunities” at Nagaland University, Kohima Campus. (Image: facebook.com/nagalanduniversity) |
The seminar brought together academicians, researchers and scholars to deliberate on the preservation, documentation and future of indigenous tribal heritage in Northeast India amid rapid social and technological changes.
The inaugural programme was attended by Nagaland Governor and Chief Rector of Nagaland University, Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, as the Chief Guest, while Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, attended as the Guest of Honour.
The programme began with a welcome address by Prof. N. Venuh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of NUKC. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Jano S. Liegise, Dean of the School of Humanities and Education, who highlighted the immense cultural diversity of Northeast India, home to more than 200 distinct ethnic groups with rich traditions, languages and indigenous knowledge systems.
Prof. Liegise emphasised the importance of understanding and preserving tribal heritage while adapting to modern challenges. Quoting, “Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding opens many doors towards peace and progress,” he underscored the seminar’s focus on dialogue, cultural preservation and academic collaboration.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Nand Kishore Yadav praised the communities of Northeast India for preserving their cultural identities, oral traditions and customary practices despite rapid modernisation. He stated that indigenous languages and cultures are facing unprecedented challenges and said such academic platforms are crucial for meaningful dialogue between traditional wisdom and modern scholarship.
The Governor further stressed the importance of communal harmony, coexistence with nature and sustainable living practices traditionally upheld by tribal communities, noting that the modern world has much to learn from these indigenous values.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik highlighted the significant contribution the Northeast region can make to the Indian Knowledge System through its rich indigenous heritage. He called for renewed focus on ecological practices, culinary traditions, textiles and other cultural elements while also advocating the use of artificial intelligence for documentation and archiving purposes to preserve heritage for future generations.
The concluding remarks were delivered by Prof. Pangersenla Walling, Head of the Department of Linguistics.
The seminar also featured technical sessions and academic presentations by noted scholars, including Prof. Pauthang Haokip, Prof. Tiatoshi Jamir and journalist-author Sanjoy Hazarika.
